The release of a single female guppy into the wild can generate entire new populations, even with no males present, according to new research.

New research by biologists at the University of St Andrews and the University of the West Indies reveals how its ability to keep on reproducing has earned the guppy its reputation as one of the world’s most invasive fish.

The study, published today (Tuesday 20 September 2011), reports that the apparently harmless release of guppies into the wild has led to the fish being found in every continent with the exception of Antarctica.

The popular ornamental fish, whose native home is Trinidad and the north-eastern fringe of South America, is now present in over 70 countries worldwide. Since a single female guppy can establish a viable new population, the research demonstrates that even well-intentioned releases of discarded pets can contribute to the loss of biological diversity.

St Andrews lead researcher Dr Amy Deacon commented, “Our findings show that the guppies range has expanded dramatically since the early 1900s”.

The scientists began by surveying hundreds of fish biologists around the world. Responses confirmed that the two most important routes of guppies finding their way into the wild are the escapes of ornamental fish, and deliberate introductions designed to control the larvae of mosquitoes that spread malaria.

In places such as Southern India, guppies are routinely released into water troughs, wells and small ponds for mosquito control. Although self-contained at first, heavy rains and flooding mean that the fish eventually find their way to streams and rivers where they come into contact with native fish.

Dr Deacon explained, “Usually only one or a few fish are released. We know that the vast majority of species introduced to a new habitat in this way are unable to survive, let alone establish a population, which left us with a huge question mark.”

To try to solve the mystery, the researchers conducted a simple experiment, in which single wild female guppies were placed into outdoor tanks. After two years, they discovered that almost all of the tanks contained populations of guppies, each founded by just one female.

Dr Deacon explained how the finding might explain the guppy’s success as an invasive species, “Sperm storage is an excellent adaptation for living in constantly changing habitats, and it might also explain the guppies’ global success. Female guppies can store sperm in their reproductive tracts for many months after mating, and this enables single fish to establish populations, even when no males are present.

“We also found that these populations kept all of the important behaviours that wild guppies have, so they would be well-equipped for surviving in a new environment.”

“Seemingly harmless activities such as a child freeing a few pet fish or a concerned householder using guppies to control mosquitoes, can ultimately contribute to the reduction of biodiversity in freshwater habitats across the world.”

The research, published by the journal PLoS ONE, was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the European Research Council.